Gummed-tape machine.



C. SBNN. GUMMED TAPE MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG.19, 1911.

1,126,578. Patented .12.11.26, 1915.

In Ven tor:

THE NORRIS PETERS CD.. PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINQrUN. D4 C.

CAMILLUS SENN, 0F NEX/V YORK, N. Y.

GUMMED-TAPE MACHINE.

meente.

Application filed August 19, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CAMILLUs SENN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of the Bronx, in the city of New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gummed-Tape Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

My invention relates particularly to machines adapted and intended to hold a roll of previously gummed tape in a suitable holder which will permit same to be drawn from the roll as needed and to be moistened on a suitable moistening device located near the roll of tape.

The primary object of this invention is to provide means whereby the tape may be severed at any predetermined point with absolute accuracy so that labels or any suitable printed matter may be printed upon the tape and the tape severed accurately on the divisional or marginal lines between such labels or printed matter.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the free end of the tape will be permanently and positively withheld from the moistening device when the machine is not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide cutting mechanism which may be located between the roll of tape and the moistening device so that the free end of the tape will not be moistened except at the instant of use. I

lThe various other objects of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description of one form of mechanism embodying my invention, which consists of the new and novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a plan view of my improved gummed tape machine. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof in section on the lines 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view showing a portion of tape having divisional lines thereon.

lThe base or plate 1 of the machine is pro vided with a plurality of standards 2, preferably formed integral therewith which support the base a suitable distance above a table or other means of support. The central portion of the base is cut away and a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 1f an. 26, 19315.,

Serial No. 645,010.

moistening device 3 comprising a reservoir. having outwardly extended flanges l prefi erably formed integral therewith is mounted in the front portion of the frame with the said AHanges resting upon the base or plate, thus supporting the reservoir. A moistening pad of any preferred form, such as the roller 5, is mounted in said reservoir so that the tape can be drawn over the same and moistened prior to use. Said pad preferably extends somewhat above the top of the reservoir.

EL plurality of lugs 6 are secured to the rear portion of the plate and are preferably.

formed integral therewith. Said lugs are provided with grooves 7 forming a bearing for a transverse pivot or spindle 8. Said spindle is preferably bent at one end to engage in a slot 9 formed in the base which holds the spindle against lateral displacement and limits rotation thereof so that the tape roll cannot be carried upward or backward far enough to upset the machine. rlhe spindle is held in its bearing by any suitable means, as by wires 10 which pass through openings 11 formed in the plate and have their ends secured in any well known manner.

One or more rolls of previously gummed tape 12 are supported on the machine so that the tape can be drawn therefrom, be moistened as withdrawn, and cut accurately into predetermined lengths which may be established by suitable marginal or divisional lines 12a printed or otherwise indicated upon the tape. The rolls of tape are mounted on a swinging carrier which comprises the spindle 8 and a parallel transverse spindle 14 which passes through the central opening in the tape roll on a spool or bobbin 15. The spindles are permanently held in proper relation to each other by a side plate 1G which extends preferably beyond the spindle 14k to engage the side of the tape roll, thus preventing displacement thereof and also preventing the tape from becoming loose or unwinding on the roll. A. corresponding side plate 17 is mounted on the spindle 8 by an elongated opening which permits the pl ate not only to rotate on said spindle and slide lengthwise thereon but also permits a lateral or tipping movement with relation thereto. The plate is provided with a perforation adapted to engage over the supporting spindle 14 and is held thereon by the tensionnut 19 which permits the movable side plates to be drawn toward the stationary side plate and thus compress the tape roll between the said plates.

In case ay plurality of tape rolls are used upon the machine an intermediate friction plate 20 is preferably interposed between the several rolls. Said plate is provided with a perforation 2l which engages the spindle ll and at its nearer end is provided with a groove or socket 22 which seats on the spindle 8 and rotates thereon but which permits the plate to be readily detached from said spindle when it is desired to re place a roll of tape or when only one roll of tape is being used.

A tension plate Zit is mounted on the base which supports and is in frictional contact with the tape roll and the free end of the tape. Said tension plate is preferably formed of resilient metal and its forward end is supported in an inclined plane by beveled lugs 2.1 which may be formed integral with the base and which support the front end of the plate at or near the top of the moistening pad. rllhe rear portion of the plate engages a seat formed in the base by projecting lugs The end of the plate is provided also with a slot 24, engaging with a stop Q5,I which permits suitable movement of the plate longitudinally on the base so that it can be properly adjusted with relation to the moistening pad.

A cutting device 26 is provided, which preferably comprises a bar of metal having a cutting edge and secured to the tension plate in any suitable manner. Said cutting device is parallel to the inclined end of the tension plate and spaced therefrom to permit the tape to pass between. The cutting device is so placed on the tension plate that a suitable length of tape is exposed between the roll and the cutter to permit the operator to press upon same and force the free end past the cutting` edge so it can be grasped by the hand. Said exposed portion can also be utilized for writing or inscribing directions, addresses or in any other suitable manner.

The exact location of the cutter and the distance it is spaced may be varied as desired provided only that access may be had to the unrolled portion of the tape that rests upon the plate. Preferably the cutter is placed near but somewhat behind the front edge of the plate so thatany portion of the tape which extends beyond the cutter bar will be supported by the plate and may be held positively out of contact with the moistening device.

In operation the tape rolls are mounted upon the swinging carrier with the friction plates between the separate rolls if more than one roll is used. Suitable side pressure Kor, compression is exerted on the rolls by means of the tension nut 19 to hold the rolls in alinement and assist in preventing the tape from becoming loose on the roll. The bottom of the roll rests upon the tension plate which also prevents the tape from unrolling. The tape end remains normally between the cutting bar and the tension plate. 4When it is desiredto use the tape the operator presses upon the exposed portion thereof between the roll and the cutting edge and forces the same forward a sullicient distance to permit the free end to be grasped by hand and pressed down upon the moistening pad so that the gum on the tape may be moistened. As the tape is withdrawn the lines or other markings on the tape are exposed to view, thus enabling the operator to tear olf the tape in predetermined lengths as measured by the said divisional or marginal `lines with great accuracy. Suitable adjustment of the tension plate with respect to the base can be made so that the cutting edge will be in any desired position withrespect :to the moistening device. lt is obvious that by this construction that the free end of the tape is positively and permanently withheld from the nioistening device when the machine is not in use andthat the tape can be cut into desired lengths with absolute accuracy. The machine is extremely compactand simple in construction yet permits the tape rolls to be readily renewed without unnecessary loss of time. rllhewaste of tape which necessarily occurs when the taperests upon the moistening device is entirely avoided. The free end of the tape is always dry and therefore it does not stick to the hand of the operator when it is grasped for the purpose of drawing ott a length of tape from the roll. The friction between the vtension *plate andthe tape roll, together with the varrangement of the, cutter' parallel to and only slightly spaced from the tension plate enables the tape to be severed without pull `or strain upon the tape roll and without unwinding any extra tape, and makes unthreading or accidental tearing of the tape practically impossible.

Although .l have shown one formof machine embodying iny invention,- it is obvious that various changes within the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be made therein without kdeparting from the invention provided the means set forth in the following claims be employed.

I claim as my invention 1. In a gumined tape vmachine the combination of a swinging carrier for the tape roll, a moistening device, a cutting edge, and a tensionplate supporting thetape roll and the unrolled portion ofthe tape and in frictional contact therewith said plate extending to or beyond the cutting edge.

2. Ina gummed tape machine the combination of a carrier for the tape roll, a moistening device, a tension plate supporting the tape roll and the free end of the tape, and a cutting edge secured to the tension plate and arranged between the moistening device and the tape roll.

3. In a gummed tape machine the combination of a carrier for the tape roll, a moistening device, a tension plate supporting the tape roll and the unrolled portion of the tape, said tensionplate having its free end inclined toward the top of the moistening device and arranged adjacent thereto, and a cutting edge secured to the tension plate adjacent the inclined end thereof.

4l. In a gummed tape machine the combination of a carrier for the tape roll, a moistening device, a tension plate supporting the tape roll and the free end of the tape, and a cutting edge secured to the tension plate and arranged parallel thereto and spaced therefrom to engage frictionally with the free end of the tape and hold the same in position.

5. In a gummed tape machine the combination of a carrier for the tape roll, a moistening device, a tension plate supporting the tape roll and the free end of the tape, said tension plate being adjustable with relation to the moistening device and having its free end inclined toward the to-p of the moistening device, and a cutting edge secured to the tension plate between the moistening device and the tape roll, said cutting device being parallel to the inclined end of the tension plate and spaced therefrom.

6. In a gummed tape machine comprising a tape moistening device and a swinging carrier for the tape roll comprising side plates mounted upon transverse spindles, one of said plates being secured to said spindles and the other plate being movable thereon, and means on one of said spindles for compressing the tape roll between said plates.

7. In a gummed tape machine the combination with a moistening device and a cutting' edge, of a swinging carrier for a tape roll comprising side plates mounted upon transverse spindles, one of said spindles providing a bearing for the tape roll and the other spindle being mounted in bearings provided in the frame and one of said side plates being detachable from one of the spindles, and means for holding the tape roll between said plates.

S. In a gummed tape machine the combination with a moistening device and a cutting edge, of a swinging carrier for a plurality of tape rolls comprising a spindle mounted in bearings on the frame, a parallel spindle having the tape rolls mounted thereon, side plates mounted on said spindles on opposite sides of the tape rolls, an intermediate friction plate between the tape rolls mounted upon one of said spindles and provided with a socket engaging loosely with the other spindle, and means on one of said spindles for compressing said rolls between said plates.

9. In a gummed tape machine the combination with a moistening device and means for conducting the tape to said moistener, a swinging carrier for a tape roll comprising a spindle mounted in bearings on the frame and having a limited rotary movement on said bearings, a parallel spindle having the tape roll mounted thereon, a side plate rigidly secured to said spindles, a corresponding side plate movably secured to one of said spindles and detachably secured to the other spindle, and means for compressing the roll between said plates.

10. In a gummed tape machine, the combination of a swinging carrier for the tape roll comprising a spindle rotatably mounted on bearings provided in the frame near one end thereof, a parallel spindle having the tape roll mounted thereon and side plates between said spindles, of a moistening device secured to the frame near the opposite end thereof, a tension plate supporting the tape roll and extending between the bottom of the tape roll and the moistening device, and a cutting edge on said tension plate.

11. In a gummed tape machine, the combination of a moistening device, a supporting plate having a portion disposed substantially in a horizontal position below the tape roll and part of the unrolled tape strip, means for holding the tape roll against lateral displacement and permitting the roll to remain continuously in frictional contact with the tape as the tape is unrolled therefrom, and a cutting device supported by the plate in front of the roll a distance therefrom to permit access to the unrolled portion of the tape between the cutting device and the roll for the purpose of unwinding the tape roll and advancing' the strip over the moistening device.

This specification witnessed this 16th day of August, A. D. 1911.

CAMILLUS SENN.

Signed in the presence of FLORENCE M. MARTIN, AMBRosE L. OSHEA.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti.

Washington, D. C. 

